Throwthepapertothedogs。I\'llgiveyoumore！\"
Andeverythingrockedfromsidetosideinrhythmic，wave-likemovement。NowthepeoplemovedfartherawayfromFoma，nowtheycamenearertohim，theceilingdescended，thefloorrose，anditseemedtoFomathathewouldsoonbeflattenedandcrushed。Thenhebegantofeelthathewasfloatingsomewhereoveranimmenselywideandstormyriver，and，staggering，hecriedoutinfright：
\"Wherearewefloating？Whereisthecaptain？\"
Hewasansweredbytheloud，senselesslaughterofthedrunkencrowd，andbytheshrill，repulsiveshoutoftheswarthylittleman：
\"True！weareallwithouthelmandsails。Whereisthecaptain？
What？Ha，ha，ha！\"
Fomaawakenedfromthisnightmareinasmallroomwithtwowindows，andthefirstthinghiseyesfelluponwasawitheredtree。Itstoodnearthewindow；itsthicktrunk，barkless，witharottenheart，preventedthelightfromenteringtheroom；thebent，blackbranches，devoidofleaves，stretchedthemselvesmournfullyandhelplesslyintheair，andshakingtoandfro，theycreakedsoftly，plaintively。Arainwasfalling；streamsofwaterwerebeatingagainstthewindow-panes，andonecouldhearhowthewaterwasfallingtothegroundfromtheroof，sobbingthere。Thissobbingsoundwasjoinedbyanothersound——ashrill，ofteninterrupted，hastyscratchingofapenoverpaper，andthenbyacertainspasmodicgrumbling。
Whenheturnedwithdifficultyhisaching，heavyheadonthepillow，Fomanoticedasmall，swarthyman，whosatbythetablehastilyscratchingwithhispenoverthepaper，shakinghisroundheadapprovingly，waggingitfromsidetoside，shrugginghisshoulders，and，withallhissmallbodyclothedinnightgarmentsonly，constantlymovingaboutinhischair，asthoughheweresittingonfire，andcouldnotgetupforsomereasonorother。
Hislefthand，leanandthin，wasnowfirmlyrubbinghisforehead，nowmakingcertainincomprehensiblesignsintheair；
hisbarefeetscrapedalongthefloor，acertainveinquiveredonhisneck，andevenhisearsweremoving。WhenheturnedtowardFoma，Fomasawhisthinlipswhisperingsomething，hissharp-
pointednoseturneddowntohisthinmoustache，whichtwitchedupwardeachtimethelittlemansmiled。Hisfacewasyellow，bloated，wrinkled，andhisblack，vivacioussmallsparklingeyesdidnotseemtobelongtohim。
Havinggrowntiredoflookingathim，Fomaslowlybegantoexaminetheroomwithhiseyes。Onthelargenails，drivenintothewalls，hungpilesofnewspapers，whichmadethewallslookasthoughcoveredwithswellings。Theceilingwaspastedwithpaperwhichhadbeenwhiteonceuponatime；nowitwaspuffeduplikebladders，tornhereandthere，peeledoffandhangingindirtyscraps；clothing，boots，books，tornpiecesofpaperlayscatteredonthefloor。Altogethertheroomgaveonetheimpressionthatithadbeenscaldedwithboilingwater。
Thelittlemandroppedthepen，bentoverthetable，drummedbrisklyonitsedgewithhisfingersandbegantosingsoftlyinafaintvoice：
\"Takethedrumandfearnot，——
Andkissthesutlergirlaloud——
That\'sthesenseoflearning——
Andthat\'sphilosophy。\"
Fomaheavedadeedsighandsaid：
\"MayIhavesomeseltzer？\"
\"Ah！\"exclaimedthelittleman，andjumpingupfromhischair，appearedatthewideoilcloth-coveredlounge，whereFomalay。
\"Howdoyoudo，comrade！Seltzer？Ofcourse！Withcognacorplain？\"
\"Betterwithcognac，\"saidFoma，shakingthelean，burninghandwhichwasoutstretchedtohim，andstaringfixedlyintothefaceofthelittleman。
\"Yegorovna！\"criedthelatteratthedoor，andturningtoFoma，asked：\"Don\'tyourecogniseme，FomaIgnatyevich？\"
\"Iremembersomething。Itseemstomewehadmetsomewherebefore。\"
\"Thatmeetinglastedforfouryears，butthatwaslongago！
Yozhov。\"
\"0hLord！\"exclaimedFoma，inastonishment，slightlyrisingfromthelounge。\"Isitpossiblethatitisyou？\"
\"Therearetimes，dear，whenIdon\'tbelieveitmyself，butarealfactissomethingfromwhichdoubtjumpsbackasarubberballfromiron。\"
Yozhov\'sfacewascomicallydistorted，andforsomereasonorotherhishandsbegantofeelhisbreast。
\"Well，well！\"drawledoutFoma。\"Buthowoldyouhavegrown！Ah-
ah！Howoldareyou？\"
\"Thirty。\"
\"Andyoulookasthoughyouwerefifty，lean，yellow。Lifeisn\'tsweettoyou，itseems？Andyouaredrinking，too，Isee。\"
Fomafeltsorrytoseehisjollyandbriskschoolmatesowornout，andlivinginthisdog-hole，whichseemedtobeswollenfromburns。Helookedathim，winkedhiseyesmournfullyandsawthatYozhov\'sfacewasforevertwitching，andhissmalleyeswereburningwithirritation。Yozhovwastryingtouncorkthebottleofwater，andthusoccupied，wassilent；hepressedthebottlebetweenhiskneesandmadevaineffortstotakeoutthecork。AndhisimpotencemovedFoma。
\"Yes；lifehassuckedyoudry。Andyouhavestudied。Evenscienceseemstohelpmanbutlittle，\"saidGordyeeffplaintively。
\"Drink！\"saidYozhov，turningpalewithfatigue，andhandinghimtheglass。Thenhewipedhisforehead，seatedhimselfontheloungebesideFoma，andsaid：
\"Leavesciencealone！Scienceisadrinkofthegods；butithasnotyetfermentedsufficiently，and，thereforeisnotfitforuse，likevodkawhichhasnotyetbeenpurifiedfromempyreumaticoil。Scienceisnotreadyforman\'shappiness，myfriend。Andthoselivingpeoplethatuseitgetnothingbutheadaches。LikethoseyouandIhaveatpresent。Whydoyoudrinksorashly？\"
\"I？WhatelseamItodo？\"askedFoma，laughing。YozhovlookedatFomasearchinglywithhiseyeshalfclosed，andhesaid：
\"Connectingyourquestionwitheverythingyoujabberedlastnight，Ifeelwithinmytroubledsoulthatyou，too，myfriend，donotamuseyourselfbecauselifeischeerfultoyou。\"
\"Eh！\"sighedFoma，heavily，risingfromthelounge。\"Whatismylife？Itissomethingmeaningless。Ilivealone。Iunderstandnothing。AndyetthereissomethingIlongfor。Iyearntospitonallandthendisappearsomewhere！Iwouldliketorunawayfromeverything。Iamsoweary！\"
\"That\'sinteresting！\"saidYozhov，rubbinghishandsandturningaboutinalldirections。\"Thisisinteresting，ifitistrueanddeep，foritshowsthattheholyspiritofdissatisfactionwithlifehasalreadypenetratedintothebedchambersofthemerchants，intothedeathchambersofsoulsdrownedinfatcabbagesoup，inlakesofteaandotherliquids。Givemeacircumstantialaccountofit。Then，mydear，Ishallwriteanovel。\"
\"Ihavebeentoldthatyouhavealreadywrittensomethingaboutme？\"inquiredFoma，withcuriosity，andoncemoreattentivelyscrutinizedhisoldfriendunabletounderstandwhatsowretchedacreaturecouldwrite。
\"OfcourseIhave！Didyoureadit？\"
\"No，Ididnothavethechance。\"
\"Andwhathavetheytoldyou？\"
\"Thatyougavemeacleverscolding。\"
\"Hm！Anddoesn\'titinterestyoutoreadityourself？\"inquiredYozhov，scrutinizingGordyeeffclosely。
\"I\'llreadit！\"Fomaassuredhim，feelingembarrassedbeforeYozhov，andthatYozhovwasoffendedbysuchregardforhiswritings。\"Indeed，itisinterestingsinceitisaboutmyself，\"
headded，smilingkindheartedlyathiscomrade。
Insayingthishewasnotatallinterested，andhesaiditmerelyoutofpityforYozhov。Therewasquiteanotherfeelinginhim；hewishedtoknowwhatsortofamanYozhovwas，andwhyhehadbecomesowornout。ThismeetingwithYozhovgaveriseinhimtoatranquilandkindfeeling；itcalledforthrecollectionsofhischildhood，andtheseflashednowinhismemory，——flashedlikemodestlittlelights，timidlyshiningathimfromthedistanceofthepast。Yozhovwalkeduptothetableonwhichstoodaboilingsamovar，silentlypouredouttwoglassesofteaasstrongastar，andsaidtoFoma：
\"Comeanddrinktea。Andtellmeaboutyourself。\"
\"Ihavenothingtotellyou。Ihavenotseenanythinginlife。
Mineisanemptylife！Youhadbettertellmeaboutyourself。I
amsureyouknowmorethanIdo，atanyrate。\"
Yozhovbecamethoughtful，notceasingtoturnhiswholebodyandtowagglehishead。Inthoughtfulnesshisfacebecamemotionless，allitswrinklesgatherednearhiseyesandseemedtosurroundthemwithrays，andbecauseofthishiseyesrecededdeeperunderhisforehead。
\"Yes，mydear，Ihaveseenathingortwo，andIknowagreatdeal，\"hebegan，withashakeofthehead。\"AndperhapsIknowevenmorethanitisnecessaryformetoknow，andtoknowmorethanitisnecessaryisjustasharmfultomanasitistobeignorantofwhatitisessentialtoknow。ShallItellyouhowI
havelived？Verywell；thatis，I\'lltry。Ihavenevertoldanyoneaboutmyself，becauseIhaveneverarousedinterestinanyone。Itismostoffensivetoliveonearthwithoutarousingpeople\'sinterestinyou！\"
\"Icanseebyyourfaceandbyeverythingelsethatyourlifehasnotbeenasmoothone！\"saidFoma，feelingpleasedwiththefactthat，toallappearances，lifewasnotsweettohiscomradeaswell。Yozhovdrankhisteaatonedraught，thrusttheglassonthesaucer，placedhisfeetontheedgeofthechair，andclaspinghiskneesinhishands，restedhischinuponthem。Inthispose，smallsizedandflexibleasrubber，hebegan：
\"ThestudentSachkov，myformerteacher，whoisnowadoctorofmedicine，awhist-playerandameanfellowallaround，usedtotellmewheneverIknewmylessonwell：\'You\'reafinefellow，Kolya！Youareanableboy。Weproletariats，plainandpoorpeople，comingfromthebackyardoflife，wemuststudyandstudy，inordertocometothefront，aheadofeverybody。Russiaisinneedofwiseandhonestpeople。Trytobesuch，andyouwillbemasterofyourfateandausefulmemberofsociety。Onuscommonersrestthebesthopesofthecountry。Wearedestinedtobringintoitlight，truth，\'andsoon。Ibelievedhim，thebrute。Andsincethenabouttwentyyearshaveelapsed。Weproletariatshavegrownup，buthaveneitherappropriatedanywisdom，norbroughtlightintolife。Asbefore，Russiaisstillsufferingfromitschronicdisease——asuperabundanceofrascals；
whilewe，theproletariats，takepleasureinfillingtheirdensethrongs。Myteacher，Irepeat，isalackey，acharacterlessanddumbcreature，whomustobeytheordersofthemayor。While1amaclownintheemployofsociety。Famepursuesmehereintown，dear。IwalkalongthestreetandIhearonedriversaytoanother：\'TheregoesYozhov！Howcleverlyhebarks，thedeucetakehim！\'Yes！Eventhiscannotbesoeasilyattained。\"
Yozhov\'sfacewrinkledintoabittergrimace，andhebegantolaugh，noiselessly，withhislipsonly。Fomadidnotunderstandhiswords，and，justtosaysomething，heremarkedatrandom：
\"Youdidn\'thit，then，whatyouaimedat？\"
\"Yes，IthoughtIwouldgrowuphigher。AndsoIshould！SoI
should，Isay！\"
Hejumpedupfromhischairandbegantorunaboutintheroom，exclaimingbrisklyinashrillvoice：
\"Buttopreserveone\'sselfpureforlifeandtobeafreemaninit，onemusthavevastpowers！Ihadthem。Ihadelasticity，cleverness。Ihavespentalltheseinordertolearnsomethingwhichisabsolutelyunnecessarytomenow。Ihavewastedthewholeofmyselfinordertopreservesomethingwithinmyself。0hdevil！Imyselfandmanyotherswithme，wehaveallrobbedourselvesforthesakeofsavingupsomethingforlife。Justthinkofit：desiringtomakeofmyselfavaluableman，Ihaveunderratedmyindividualityineverywaypossible。Inordertostudy，andnotdieofstarvation，Ihaveforsixyearsinsuccessiontaughtblockheadshowtoreadandwrite，andhadtobearamassofabominationsatthehandsofvariouspapasandmammas，whohumiliatedmewithoutanyconstraint。Earningmybreadandtea，Icouldnot，Ihadnotthetimetoearnmyshoes，andIhadtoturntocharitableinstitutionswithhumblepetitionsforloansonthestrengthofmypoverty。Ifthephilanthropistscouldonlyreckonuphowmuchofthespirittheykillinmanwhilesupportingthelifeofhisbody！Iftheyonlyknewthateachroubletheygiveforbreadcontainsninety-ninecopecks\'worthofpoisonforthesoul！Iftheycouldonlyburstfromexcessoftheirkindnessandpride，whichtheydrawfromtheirholyactivity！Thereisnoneonearthmoredisgustingandrepulsivethanhewhogivesalms，evenasthereisnonemoremiserablethanhewhoacceptsit！\"
Yozhovstaggeredaboutintheroomlikeadrunkenman，seizedwithmadness，andthepaperunderhisfeetwasrustling，tearing，flyinginscraps。Hegnashedhisteeth，shookhishead，hishandswavedintheairlikebrokenwingsofabird，andaltogetheritseemedasthoughhewerebeingboiledinakettleofhotwater。
Fomalookedathimwithastrange，mixedsensation；hepitiedYozhov，andatthesametimehewaspleasedtoseehimsuffering。
\"Iamnotalone，heissuffering，too，\"thoughtFoma，asYozhovspoke。AndsomethingclashedinYozhov\'sthroat，likebrokenglass，andcreakedlikeanunoiledhinge。
\"Poisonedbythekindnessofmen，Iwasruinedthroughthefatalcapacityofeverypoorfellowduringthemakingofhiscareer，throughthecapacityofbeingreconciledwithlittleintheexpectationofmuch。Oh！Doyouknow，morepeopleperishthroughlackofproperself-appreciationthanfromconsumption，andperhapsthatiswhytheleadersofthemassesserveasdistrictinspectors！\"
\"Thedeviltakethedistrictinspectors！\"saidFoma，withawaveofthehand。\"Tellmeaboutyourself。\"
\"Aboutmyself！Iamhereentire！\"exclaimedYozhov，stoppingshortinthemiddleoftheroom，andstrikinghischestwithhishands。\"IhavealreadyaccomplishedallIcouldaccomplish。I
haveattainedtherankofthepublic\'sentertainer——andthatisallIcando！Toknowwhatshouldbedone，andnottobeabletodoit，nottohavethestrengthforyourwork——thatistorture！\"
\"That\'sit！Waitawhile！\"saidFoma，enthusiastically。\"Nowtellmewhatoneshoulddoinordertolivecalmly；thatis，inordertobesatisfiedwithone\'sself。\"
ToFomathesewordssoundedloud，butempty，andtheirsoundsdiedawaywithoutstirringanyemotioninhisheart，withoutgivingrisetoasinglethoughtinhismind。
\"Youmustalwaysbeinlovewithsomethingunattainabletoyou。A
mangrowsinheightbystretchinghimselfupwards。\"
Nowthathehadceasedspeakingofhimself，Yozhovbegantotalkmorecalmly，inadifferentvoice。Hisvoicewasfirmandresolute，andhisfaceassumedanexpressionofimportanceandsternness。Hestoodinthecentreoftheroom，hishandwithoutstretchedfingersuplifted，andspokeasthoughhewerereading：
\"Menarebasebecausetheystriveforsatiety。Thewell-fedmanisananimalbecausesatietyistheself-contentednessofthebody。Andtheself-contentednessofthespiritalsoturnsmanintoanimal。\"
Againhestartedasthoughallhisveinsandmusclesweresuddenlystrained，andagainhebegantorunabouttheroominseethingagitation。
\"Aself-contentedmanisthehardenedswellingonthebreastofsociety。Heismyswornenemy。Hefillshimselfupwithcheaptruths，withgnawedmorselsofmustywisdom，andheexistslikeastoreroomwhereastingyhousewifekeepsallsortsofrubbishwhichisabsolutelyunnecessarytoher，andworthless。Ifyoutouchsuchaman，ifyouopenthedoorintohim，thestenchofdecaywillbebreatheduponyou，andastreamofsomemustytrashwillbepouredintotheairyoubreathe。Theseunfortunatepeoplecallthemselvesmenoffirmcharacter，menofprinciplesandconvictions。Andnoonecarestoseethatconvictionsaretothembuttheclotheswithwhichtheycoverthebeggarlynakednessoftheirsouls。Onthenarrowbrowsofsuchpeopletherealwaysshinestheinscriptionsofamiliartoall：calmnessandconfidence。Whatafalseinscription！Justrubtheirforeheadswithfirmhandandthenyouwillseetherealsign-board，whichreads：\'Narrowmindednessandweaknessofsoul！\'\"
FomawatchedYozhovbustlingabouttheroom，andthoughtmournfully：
\"Whomisheabusing？Ican\'tunderstand；butIcanseethathehasbeenterriblywounded。\"
\"HowmanysuchpeoplehaveIseen！\"exclaimedYozhov，withwrathandterror。\"Howtheselittleretailshopshavemultipliedinlife！Inthemyouwillfindcalicoforshrouds，andtar，candyandboraxfortheexterminationofcockroaches，butyouwillnotfindanythingfresh，hot，wholesome！Youcometothemwithanachingsoulexhaustedbyloneliness；youcome，thirstingtohearsomethingthathaslifeinit。Andtheyoffertoyousomewormcud，ruminatedbook-thoughts，grownsourwithage。Andthesedry，stalethoughtsarealwayssopoorthat，inordertogivethemexpression，itisnecessarytouseavastnumberofhigh-soundingandemptywords。WhensuchamanspeaksIsaytomyself：\'Theregoesawell-fed，butover-wateredmare，alldecoratedwithbells；
she\'scartingaloadofrubbishoutofthetown，andthemiserablewretchiscontentwithherfate。\'\"
\"Theyaresuperfluouspeople，then，\"saidFoma。Yozhovstoppedshortinfrontofhimandsaidwithabitingsmileonhislips：
\"No，theyarenotsuperfluous，ohno！Theyexistasanexample，toshowwhatmanoughtnottobe。Speakingfrankly，theirproperplaceistheanatomicalmuseums，wheretheypreserveallsortsofmonstersandvarioussicklydeviationsfromthenormal。Inlifethereisnothingthatissuperfluous，dear。EvenIamnecessary！
Onlythosepeople，inwhosesoulsdwellsaslavishcowardicebeforelife，inwhosebosomsthereareenormousulcersofthemostabominableself-adoration，takingtheplacesoftheirdeadhearts——onlythosepeoplearesuperfluous；buteventheyarenecessary，ifonlyforthesakeofenablingmetopourmyhatreduponthem。\"
Alldaylong，untilevening，Yozhovwasexcited，ventinghisblasphemyonmenhehated，andhiswords，thoughtheircontentswereobscuretoFoma，infectedhimwiththeirevilheat，andinfectingcalledforthinhimaneagerdesireforcombat。AttimestheresprangupinhimdistrustofYozhov，andinoneofthesemomentsheaskedhimplainly：
\"Well！Andcanyouspeaklikethatinthefaceofmen？\"
\"Idoitateveryconvenientoccasion。AndeverySundayinthenewspaper。I\'llreadsometoyouifyoulike。\"
WithoutwaitingforFoma\'sreply，hetoredownfromthewallafewsheetsofpaper，andstillcontinuingtorunabouttheroom，begantoreadtohim。Heroared，squeaked，laughed，showedhisteethandlookedlikeanangrydogtryingtobreakthechaininpowerlessrage。Notgraspingtheidealsinhisfriend\'screations，Fomafelttheirdaringaudacity，theirbitingsarcasm，theirpassionatemalice，andhewasaswellpleasedwiththemasthoughhehadbeenscourgedwithbesomsinahotbath。
\"Clever！\"heexclaimed，catchingsomeseparatephrase。\"That\'scleverlyaimed！\"
Everynowandagainthereflashedbeforehimthefamiliarnamesofmerchantsandwell-knowncitizens，whomYozhovhadstung，nowstoutlyandsharply，nowrespectfullyandwithafineneedle-likesting。
Foma\'sapprobation，hiseyesburningwithsatisfaction，andhisexcitedfacegaveYozhovstillmoreinspiration，andhecriedandroaredeverlouderandlouder，nowfallingontheloungefromexhaustion，nowjumpingupagainandrushingtowardFoma。
\"Come，now，readaboutme！\"exclaimedFoma，longingtohearit。Yozhovrummagedamongapileofpapers，toreoutonesheet，andholdingitinbothhands，stoppedinfrontofFoma，withhislegsstraddledwideapart，whileFomaleanedbackinthebroken-
seatedarmchairandlistenedwithasmile。
ThenoticeaboutFomastartedwithadescriptionofthespreeontherafts，andduringthereadingofthenoticeFomafeltthatcertainparticularwordsstunghimlikemosquitoes。Hisfacebecamemoreserious，andhebenthisheadingloomysilence。Andthemosquitoeswentonmultiplying。
\"Nowthat\'stoomuch！\"saidhe，atlength，confusedanddissatisfied。\"SurelyyoucannotgainthefavourofGodmerelybecauseyouknowhowtodisgraceaman。\"
\"Keepquiet！Waitawhile！\"saidYozhov，curtly，andwentonreading。
Havingestablishedinhisarticlethatthemerchantrisesbeyonddoubtabovetherepresentativesofotherclassesofsocietyinthematterofnuisanceandscandal-making，Yozhovasked：\"Whyisthisso？\"andreplied：
\"Itseemstomethatthispredilectionforwildprankscomesfromthelackofcultureinsofarasitisdependentupontheexcessofenergyanduponidleness。Therecannotbeanydoubtthatourmerchantclass，withbutfewexceptions，isthehealthiestand，atthesametime，mostinactiveclass。\"
\"That\'strue！\"exclaimedFoma，strikingthetablewithhisfist。
\"That\'strue！Ihavethestrengthofabullanddotheworkofasparrow。\"
\"Whereisthemerchanttospendhisenergy？HecannotspendmuchofitontheExchange，sohesquanderstheexcessofhismuscularcapitalindrinking-boutsinkabaky；forhehasnoconceptionofotherapplicationsofhisstrength，whicharemoreproductive，morevaluabletolife。Heisstillabeast，andlifehasalreadybecometohimacage，anditistoonarrowforhimwithhissplendidhealthandpredilectionforlicentiousness。Hamperedbycultureheatoncestartstoleadadissolutelife。Thedebauchofamerchantisalwaystherevoltofacaptivebeast。Ofcoursethisisbad。But，ah！itwillbeworseyet，whenthisbeast，inadditiontohisstrength，shallhavegatheredsomesenseandshallhavedisciplinedit。Believeme，eventhenhewillnotceasetocreatescandals，buttheywillbehistoricalevents。
Heavendeliverusfromsuchevents！Fortheywillemanatefromthemerchant\'sthirstforpower；theiraimwillbetheomnipotenceofoneclass，andthemerchantwillnotbeparticularaboutthemeanstowardtheattainmentofthisaim。
\"Well，whatdoyousay，isittrue？\"askedYozhov，whenhehadfinishedreadingthenewspaper，andthrownitaside。
\"Idon\'tunderstandtheend，\"repliedFoma。\"Andastostrength，thatistrue！WhereamItomakeuseofmystrengthsincethereisnodemandforit！Ioughttofightwithrobbers，orturnarobbermyself。IngeneralIoughttodosomethingbig。Andthatshouldbedonenotwiththehead，butwiththearmsandthebreast。WhileherewehavetogototheExchangeandtrytoaimwelltomakearouble。Whatdoweneeditfor？Andwhatisit，anyway？Haslifebeenarrangedinthisformforever？Whatsortoflifeisit，ifeveryoneisgrievedandfindsittoonarrowforhim？Lifeoughttobeaccordingtothetasteofman。Ifitisnarrowforme，ImustmoveitasunderthatImayhavemoreroom。
Imustbreakitandreconstructit。Butnod？That\'swherethetroublelies！Whatoughttobedonethatlifemaybefreer？ThatIdonotunderstand，andthat\'sallthereistoit。\"
\"Yes！\"drawledoutYozhov。\"Sothat\'swhereyou\'vegone！That，dear，isagoodthing！Ah，yououghttostudyalittle！Howareyouaboutbooks？Doyoureadany？\"
\"No，Idon\'tcareforthem。Ihaven\'treadany。\"
\"That\'sjustwhyyoudon\'tcareforthem。\"\"Iamevenafraidtoreadthem。Iknowone——acertaingirl——it\'sworsethandrinkingwithher！Andwhatsenseisthereinbooks？Onemanimaginessomethingandprintsit，andothersreadit。Ifitisinteresting，it\'sallright。Butlearnfromabookhowtolive！——
thatissomethingabsurd。Itwaswrittenbyman，notbyGod，andwhatlawsandexamplescanmanestablishforhimself？\"
\"AndhowabouttheGospels？Weretheynotwrittenbymen？\"
\"Thosewereapostles。Nowtherearenone。\"
\"Good，yourrefutationissound！Itistrue，dear，therearenoapostles。OnlytheJudasesremained，andmiserableonesatthat。\"
Fomafeltverywell，forhesawthatYozhovwasattentivelylisteningtohiswordsandseemedtobeweighingeachandeverywordheuttered。Meetingsuchbearingtowardhimforthefirsttimeinhislife，Fomaunburdenedhimselfboldlyandfreelybeforehisfriend，caringnothingforthechoiceofwords，andfeelingthathewouldbeunderstoodbecauseYozhovwantedtounderstandhim。
\"Youareacuriousfellow！\"saidYozhov，abouttwodaysaftertheirmeeting。\"Andthoughyouspeakwithdifficulty，onefeelsthatthereisagreatdealinyou——greatdaringofheart！Ifyouonlyknewalittleabouttheorderoflife！Thenyouwouldspeakloudenough，Ithink。Yes！\"
\"Butyoucannotwashyourselfcleanwithwords，norcanyouthenfreeyourself，\"remarkedFoma，withasigh。\"Youhavesaidsomethingaboutpeoplewhopretendthattheyknoweverything，andcandoeverything。Ialsoknowsuchpeople。Mygodfather，forinstance。Itwouldbeagoodthingtosetoutagainstthem，toconvictthem；they\'reaprettydangerousset！\"
\"Icannotimagine，Foma，howyouwillgetalonginlifeifyoupreservewithinyouthatwhichyounowhave，\"saidYozhov，thoughtfully。
\"It\'sveryhard。Ilacksteadfastness。OfasuddenIcouldperhapsdosomething。Iunderstandverywellthatlifeisdifficultandnarrowforeveryoneofus。Iknowthatmygodfatherseesthat，too！Butheprofitsbythisnarrowness。Hefeelswellinit；heissharpasaneedle，andhe\'llmakehiswaywhereverhepleases。ButIamabig，heavyman，that\'swhyIamsuffocating！That\'swhyIliveinfetters。Icouldfreemyselffromeverythingwithasingleeffort：justtomovemybodywithallmystrength，andthenallthefetterswillburst！\"
\"Andwhatthen？\"askedYozhov。
\"Then？\"Fomabecamepensive，and，afteramoment\'sthought，wavedhishand。\"Idon\'tknowwhatwillbethen。Ishallsee！\"
\"Weshallsee！\"assentedYozhov。
Hewasgiventodrink，thislittlemanwhowasscaldedbylife。
Hisdaybeganthus：inthemorningathisteahelookedoverthelocalnewspapersanddrewfromthenewsnoticesmaterialforhisfeuilleton，whichhewroterightthenandthereonthecornerofthetable。Thenherantotheeditorialoffice，wherehemadeup\"ProvincialPictures\"outofclippingsfromcountrynewspapers。
OnFridayhehadtowritehisSundayfeuilleton。Foralltheypaidhimahundredandtwenty-fiveroublesamonth；heworkedfast，anddevotedallhisleisuretimetothe\"surveyandstudyofcharitableinstitutions。\"TogetherwithFomahestrolledabouttheclubs，hotelsandtavernstilllateatnight，drawingmaterialeverywhereforhisarticles，whichhecalled\"brushesforthecleansingoftheconscienceofsociety。\"Thecensorhestyledassuperintendentofthediffusionoftruthandrighteousnessinlife，\"thenewspaperhecalled\"thego-between，engagedinintroducingthereadertodangerousideas，\"andhisownwork，\"thesaleofasoulinretail，\"and\"aninclinationtoaudacityagainstholyinstitutions。\"
FomacouldhardlymakeoutwhenYozhovjestedandwhenhewasinearnest。Hespokeofeverythingenthusiasticallyandpassionately，hecondemnedeverythingharshly，andFomalikedit。
Butoften，beginningtoargueenthusiastically，herefutedandcontradictedhimselfwithequalenthusiasmorwounduphisspeechwithsomeridiculousturn。ThenitappearedtoFomathatthatmanlovednothing，thatnothingwasfirmlyrootedwithinhim，thatnothingguidedhim。Onlywhenspeakingofhimselfhetalkedinaratherpeculiarvoice，andthemoreimpassionedhewasinspeakingofhimself，themoremercilessandenragedwasheinrevilingeverythingandeverybody。AndhisrelationtowardFomawasdual；sometimeshegavehimcourageandspoketohimhotly，quiveringineverylimb。
\"Goahead！Refuteandoverthroweverythingyoucan！Pushforwardwithallyourmight。Thereisnothingmorevaluablethanman，knowthis！Cryatthetopofyourvoice：\'Freedom！Freedom！\"
ButwhenFoma，warmedupbytheglowingsparksofthesewords，begantodreamofhowheshouldstarttorefuteandoverthrowpeoplewho，forthesakeofpersonalprofit，donotwanttobroadenlife，Yozhovwouldoftencuthimshort：
\"Dropit！Youcannotdoanything！Peoplelikeyouarenotneeded。
Yourtime，thetimeofthestrongbutnotclever，ispast，mydear！Youaretoolate！Thereisnoplaceforyouinlife。\"
\"No？Youarelying！\"criedFoma，irritatedbycontradiction。
\"Well，whatcanyouaccomplish？\"
\"I？\"
\"You！\"
\"Why，Icankillyou！\"saidFoma，angrily，clenchinghisfist。
\"Eh，youscarecrow！\"saidYozhov，convincinglyandpitifully，withashrugoftheshoulder。\"Isthereanythinginthat？Why，I
amanywayhalfdeadalreadyfrommywounds。\"
Andsuddenlyinflamedwithmelancholymalice，hestretchedhimselfandsaid：
\"Myfatehaswrongedme。WhyhaveIloweredmyself，acceptingthesopsofthepublic？WhyhaveIworkedlikeamachinefortwelveyearsinsuccessioninordertostudy？WhyhaveIswallowedfortwelvelongyearsintheGymnasiumandtheUniversitythedryandtedioustrashandthecontradictorynonsensewhichisabsolutelyuselesstome？Inordertobecomefeuilleton-writer，toplaytheclownfromdaytoday，entertainingthepublicandconvincingmyselfthatthatisnecessaryandusefultothem。Whereisthepowderofmyyouth？Ihavefiredoffallthechargeofmysoulatthreecopecksashot。WhatfaithhaveIacquiredformyself？Onlyfaithinthefactthateverythinginthislifeisworthless，thateverythingmustbebroken，destroyed。WhatdoIlove？Myself。AndIfeelthattheobjectofmylovedoesnotdeservemylove。WhatcanIaccomplish？\"
Healmostwept，andkeptonscratchinghisbreastandhisneckwithhisthin，feeblehands。
Butsometimeshewasseizedwithaflowofcourage，andthenhespokeinadifferentspirit：
\"I？Oh，no，mysongisnotyetsungtotheend！Mybreasthasimbibedsomething，andI\'llhisslikeawhip！Wait，I\'lldropthenewspaper，I\'llstarttodoseriouswork，andwriteonesmallbook，whichIwillentitle\'ThePassingoftheSoul\'；thereisaprayerbythatname，itisreadforthedying。Andbeforeitsdeaththissociety，cursedbytheanathemaofinwardimpotence，willreceivemybooklikeincense。\"
Listeningtoeachandeverywordofhis，watchinghimandcomparinghisremarks，FomasawthatYozhovwasjustasweakashewas，thathe，too，hadlosthisway。ButYozhov\'smoodstillinfectedFoma，hisspeechesenrichedFoma\'svocabulary，andsometimeshenoticedwithjoyousdelighthowcleverlyandforciblyhehadhimselfexpressedthisorthatidea。HeoftenmetinYozhov\'shousecertainpeculiarpeople，who，itseemedtohim，kneweverything，understoodeverything，contradictedeverything，andsawdeceitandfalsehoodineverything。Hewatchedtheminsilence，listenedtotheirwords；theiraudacitypleasedhim，buthewasembarrassedandrepelledbytheircondescendingandhaughtybearingtowardhim。AndthenheclearlysawthatinYozhov\'sroomtheywereallclevererandbetterthantheywereinthestreetandinthehotels。Theyheldpeculiarconversations，wordsandgesturesforuseintheroom，andallthiswaschangedoutsidetheroom，intothemostcommonplaceandhuman。Sometimes，intheroom，theyallblazeduplikeahugewoodpile，andYozhovwasthebrightestfirebrandamongthem；butthelightofthisbonfireilluminatedbutfaintlytheobscurityofFomaGordyeeff\'ssoul。
OnedayYozhovsaidtohim：
\"Todaywewillcarouse！Ourcompositorshaveformedaunion，andtheyaregoingtotakealltheworkfromthepublisheronacontract。Therewillbesomedrinkingonthisaccount，andIaminvited。ItwasIwhoadvisedthemtodoit。Letusgo？Youwillgivethemagoodtreat。\"
\"Verywell！\"saidFoma，towhomitwasimmaterialwithwhomhepassedthetime，whichwasaburdentohim。
IntheeveningofthatdayFomaandYozhovsatinthecompanyofrough-facedpeople，ontheoutskirtsofagrove，outsidethetown。Thereweretwelvecompositorsthere，neatlydressed；theytreatedYozhovsimply，asacomrade，andthissomewhatsurprisedandembarrassedFoma，inwhoseeyesYozhovwasafterallsomethingofamasterorsuperiortothem，whiletheywerereallyonlyhisservants。TheydidnotseemtonoticeGordyeeff，although，whenYozhovintroducedFomatothem，theyshookhandswithhimandsaidthattheyweregladtoseehim。Helaydownunderahazel-bush，andwatchedthemall，feelinghimselfastrangerinthiscompany，andnoticingthatevenYozhovseemedtohavegotawayfromhimdeliberately，andwaspayingbutlittleattentiontohim。HeperceivedsomethingstrangeaboutYozhov；
thelittlefeuilleton-writerseemedtoimitatethetoneandthespeechofthecompositors。Hebustledaboutwiththematthewoodpile，uncorkedbottlesofbeer，cursed，laughedloudlyandtriedhisbesttoresemblethem。Hewasevendressedmoresimplythanusual。
\"Eh，brethren！\"heexclaimed，withenthusiasm。\"Ifeelwellwithyou！I\'mnotabigbird，either。Iamonlythesonofthecourthouseguard，andnoncommissionedofficer，MatveyYozhov！\"
\"Whydoeshesaythat？\"thoughtFoma。\"Whatdifferencedoesitmakewhosesonamanis？Amanisnotrespectedonaccountofhisfather，butforhisbrains。\"
Thesunwassettinglikeahugebonfireinthesky，tintingthecloudswithhuesofgoldandofblood。Dampnessandsilencewerebreathedfromtheforest，whileatitsoutskirtsdarkhumanfiguresbustledaboutnoisily。Oneofthem，shortandlean，inabroad-brimmedstrawhat，playedtheaccordion；anotherone，withdarkmoustacheandwithhiscaponthebackofhishead，sanganaccompanimentsoftly。Twootherstuggedatastick，testingtheirstrength。Severalbusiedthemselveswiththebasketcontainingbeerandprovisions；atallmanwithagrayishbeardthrewbranchesonthefire，whichwasenvelopedinthick，whitishsmoke。Thedampbranches，fallingonthefire，crackledandrustledplaintively，andtheaccordionteasinglyplayedalivelytune，whilethefalsettoofthesingerreinforcedandcompleteditsloudtones。
Apartfromthemall，onthebrinkofasmallravine，laythreeyoungfellows，andbeforethemstoodYozhov，whospokeinaringingvoice：
\"Youbearthesacredbanneroflabour。AndI，likeyourselves，amaprivatesoldierinthesamearmy。WeallserveHerMajesty，thePress。Andwemustliveinfirm，solidfriendship。\"
\"That\'strue，NikolayMatveyich！\"someone\'sthickvoiceinterruptedhim。\"Andwewanttoaskyoutouseyourinfluencewiththepublisher！Useyourinfluencewithhim！Illnessanddrunkennesscannotbetreatedasoneandthesamething。And，accordingtohissystem，itcomesoutthus；ifoneofusgetsdrunkheisfinedtotheamountofhisday\'searnings；ifhetakessickthesameisdone。Weoughttobepermittedtopresentthedoctor\'scertificate，incaseofsickness，tomakeitcertain；andhe，tobejust，oughttopaythesubstituteatleasthalfthewagesofthesickman。Otherwise，itishardforus。
Whatifthreeofusshouldsuddenlybetakensickatonce？\"
\"Yes；thatiscertainlyreasonable，\"assentedYozhov。\"But，myfriends，theprincipleofcooperation——\"
Fomaceasedlisteningtothespeechofhisfriend，forhisattentionwasdivertedbytheconversationofothers。Twomenweretalking；onewasatallconsumptive，poorlydressedandangry-lookingman；theotherafair-hairedandfair-beardedyoungman。
\"Inmyopinion，\"saidthetallmansternly，andcoughing，\"itisfoolish！Howcanmenlikeusmarry？Therewillbechildren。Dowehaveenoughtosupportthem？Thewifemustbeclothed——andthenyoucan\'ttellwhatsortofawomanyoumaystrike。\"
\"She\'safinegirl，\"saidthefair-hairedman，softly。\"Well，it\'snowthatsheisfine。Abetrothedgirlisonething，awifequiteanother。Butthatisn\'tthemainpoint。Youcantry——
perhapsshewillreallybegood。Butthenyou\'llbeshortofmeans。Youwillkillyourselfwithwork，andyouwillruinher，too。Marriageisanimpossiblethingforus。Doyoumeantosaythatwecansupportafamilyonsuchearnings？Here，yousee，I
haveonlybeenmarriedfouryears，andmyendisnear。Ihaveseennojoy——nothingbutworryandcare。\"
Hebegantocough，coughedforalongtime，withagroan，andwhenhehadceased，hesaidtohiscomradeinachokingvoice：
\"Dropit，nothingwillcomeofit！\"
Hisinterlocutorbenthisheadmournfully，whileFomathought：
\"Hespeakssensibly。It\'sevidenthecanreasonwell。\"
ThelackofattentionshowntoFomasomewhatoffendedhimandarousedinhimatthesametimeafeelingofrespectforthesemenwithdarkfacesimpregnatedwithlead-dust。Almostallofthemwereengagedinpracticalseriousconversation，andtheirremarkswerestuddedwithcertainpeculiarwords。Noneofthemfawneduponhim，nonebotheredhimwithov，withhisbacktothefire，andhesawbeforehimarowofbrightlyilluminated，cheerfulandsimplefaces。Theywereallexcitedfromdrinking，butwerenotyetintoxicated；theylaughed，jested，triedtosing，drank，andatecucumbers，whitebreadandsausages。AllthishadforFomaaparticularlypleasantflavour；hegrewbolder，seizedbythegeneralgoodfeeling，andhelongedtosaysomethinggoodtothesepeople，topleasethemallinsomewayorother。Yozhov，sittingbyhisside，movedaboutontheground，jostledhimwithhisshoulderand，shakinghishead，mutteredsomethingindistinctly。
Brethren！\"shoutedthestoutfellow。\"Let\'sstrikeupthestudentsong。Well，one，two！\"
\"Swiftasthewaves，\"
Someoneroaredinhisbassvoice：
\"Arethedaysofourlife。\"
\"Friends！\"saidYozhov，risingtohisfeet，aglassinhishand。
Hestaggered，andleanedhisotherhandagainstFoma\'shead。Thestartedsongwasbrokenoff，andallturnedtheirheadstowardhim。
\"Workingmen！Permitmetosayafewwords，wordsfromtheheart。
Iamhappyinyourcompany！Ifeelwellinyourmidst。Thatisbecauseyouaremenoftoil，menwhoserighttohappinessisnotsubjecttodoubt，althoughitisnotrecognised。Inyourennoblingmidst，0hhonestpeople，thelonelyman，whoispoisonedbylife，breathessoeasily，sofreely。\"
Yozhov\'svoicequiveredandquaked，andhisheadbegantoshake。
Fomafeltthatsomethingwarmtrickleddownonhishand，andhelookedupatthewrinkledfaceofYozhov，whowentonspeaking，tremblingineverylimb：
\"Iamnottheonlyone。Therearemanylikemyself，intimidatedbyfate，brokenandsuffering。Wearemoreunfortunatethanyouare，becauseweareweakerbothinbodyandinsoul，butwearestrongerthanyoubecausewearearmedwithknowledge，whichwehavenoopportunitytoapply。Wearegladlyreadytocometoyouandresignourselvestoyouandhelpyoutolive。Thereisnothingelseforustodo！Withoutyouwearewithoutgroundtostandon；withoutus，youarewithoutlight！Comrades！wewerecreatedbyFateitselftocompleteoneanother！\"
\"Whatdoeshebegofthem？\"thoughtFoma，listeningtoYozhov\'swordswithperplexity。Andexaminingthefacesofthecompositorshesawthattheyalsolookedattheoratorinquiringly，perplexedly，wearily。
\"Thefutureisyours，myfriends！\"saidYozhov，faintly，shakinghisheadmournfullyasthoughfeelingsorryforthefuture，andyieldingtothesepeopleagainsthiswillthepredominanceoverit。\"Thefuturebelongstothemenofhonesttoil。Youhaveagreattaskbeforeyou！Youhavetocreateanewculture，everythingfree，vitalandbright！I，whoamoneofyouinfleshandinspirit；whoamthesonofasoldier；Iproposeatoasttoyourfuture！Hurrah！\"
Yozhovemptiedhisglassandsankheavilytotheground。Thecompositorsunanimouslytookuphisbrokenexclamation，andapowerful，thunderingshoutrolledthroughtheair，causingtheleavesonthetreestotremble。
\"Let\'sstartasongnow，\"proposedthestoutfellowagain。
\"Comeon！\"chimedintwoorthreevoices。Anoisydisputeensuedastowhattosing。Yozhovlistenedtothenoise，and，turninghisheadfromonesidetoanother，scrutinizedthemall。
\"Brethren，\"Yozhovsuddenlycriedagain，\"answerme。Sayafewwordsinreplytomyaddressofwelcome。\"
Again——thoughnotatonce——allbecamesilent，somelookingathimwithcuriosity，othersconcealingagrin，stillotherswithanexpressionofdissatisfactionplainlywrittenontheirfaces。Andheagainrosefromthegroundandsaid，hotly：
\"Twoofusherearecastawaybylife——Iandthatotherone。Webothdesirethesameregardformanandthehappinessoffeelingourselvesusefuluntoothers。Comrades！Andthatbig，stupidman——
\"
\"NikolayMatveyich，youhadbetternotinsultourguest！\"saidsomeoneinadeep，displeasedvoice。
\"Yes，that\'sunnecessary，\"affirmedthestoutfellow，whohadinvitedFomatothefireside。\"Whyuseoffensivelanguage？\"
Athirdvoicerangoutloudlyanddistinctly：
\"Wehavecometogethertoenjoyourselves——totakearest。\"
\"Fools！\"laughedYozhov，faintly。\"Kind-heartedfools！Doyoupityhim？Butdoyouknowwhoheis？Heisofthosepeoplewhosuckyourblood。\"
\"Thatwilldo，NikolayMatveyich！\"theycriedtoYozhov。Andallbegantotalk，payingnofurtherattentiontohim。Fomafeltsosorryforhisfriendthathedidnoteventakeoffence。HesawthatthesepeoplewhodefendedhimfromYozhov\'sattackswerenowpurposelyignoringthefeuilleton-writer，andheunderstoodthatthiswouldpainYozhovifheweretonoticeit。Andinordertotakehisfriendawayfrompossibleunpleasantness，henudgedhiminthesideandsaid，withakind-heartedlaugh：
\"Well，yougrumbler，shallwehaveadrink？Orisittimetogohome？\"
\"Home？Whereisthehomeofthemanwhohasnoplaceamongmen？\"
askedYozhov，andshoutedagain：\"Comrades！\"
Unanswered，hisshoutwasdrownedinthegeneralmurmur。ThenhedroopedhisheadandsaidtoFoma：
\"Let\'sgofromhere。\"
\"Let\'sgo。ThoughIdon\'tmindsittingalittlelonger。It\'sinteresting。Theybehavesonobly，thedevils。ByGod！\"
\"Ican\'tbearitanylonger。Ifeelcold。Iamsuffocating。\"
\"Well，comethen。\"
Fomarosetohisfeet，removedhiscap，and，bowingtothecompositors，saidloudlyandcheerfully：
\"Thankyou，gentlemen，foryourhospitality！Good-bye！\"
Theyimmediatelysurroundedhimandspoketohimpersuasively：
\"Stayhere！Whereareyougoing？Wemightsingalltogether，eh？\"
\"No，Imustgo，itwouldbedisagreeabletomyfriendtogoalone。Iamgoingtoescorthim。Iwishyouajollyfeast！\"
\"Eh，yououghttowaitalittle！\"exclaimedthestoutfellow，andthenwhispered：
\"Someonewillescorthimhome！\"
Theconsumptivealsoremarkedinalowvoice：
\"Youstayhere。We\'llescorthimtotown，andgethimintoacaband——thereyouare！\"
Fomafeltlikestayingthere，andatthesametimewasafraidofsomething。WhileYozhovrosetohisfeet，and，clutchingatthesleevesofhisovercoat，muttered：
\"Come，thedeviltakethem！\"
\"Tillwemeetagain，gentlemen！I\'mgoing！\"saidFomaanddepartedamidexclamationsofpoliteregret。
\"Ha，ha，ha！\"Yozhovburstoutlaughingwhenhehadgotabouttwentystepsawayfromthefire。\"Theyseeusoffwithsorrow，buttheyaregladthatIamgoingaway。Ihinderedthemfromturningintobeasts。\"
\"It\'strue，youdiddisturbthem，\"saidFoma。\"Whydoyoumakesuchspeeches？Peoplehavecomeouttoenjoythemselves，andyouobtrudeyourselfuponthem。Thatboresthem！\"
\"Keepquiet！Youdon\'tunderstandanything！\"criedYozhov，harshly。\"YouthinkIamdrunk？It\'smybodythatisintoxicated，butmysoulissober，itisalwayssober；itfeelseverything。
Oh，howmuchmeannessthereisintheworld，howmuchstupidityandwretchedness！Andmen——thesestupid，miserablemen。\"
Yozhovpaused，and，claspinghisheadwithhishands，stoodforawhile，staggering。
\"Yes！\"drawledoutFoma。\"Theyareverymuchunlikeoneanother。
Nowthesemen，howpolitetheyare，likegentlemen。Andtheyreasoncorrectly，too，andallthatsortofthing。Theyhavecommonsense。Yettheyareonlylabourers。\"
Inthedarknessbehindthemthemenstruckupapowerfulchoralsong。Inharmoniousatfirst，itswelledandgrewuntilitrolledinahuge，powerfulwavethroughtheinvigoratingnocturnalair，abovethedesertedfield。
\"MyGod！\"saidYozhov，sadlyandsoftly，heavingasigh。\"Wherebyarewetolive？Whereonfastenoursoul？Whoshallquenchitsthirstsforfriendshipbrotherhood，love，forpureandsacredtoil？\"
\"Thesesimplepeople，\"saidFoma，slowlyandpensively，withoutlisteningtohiscompanionswords，absorbedashewasinhisownthoughts，\"ifonelooksintothesepeople，they\'renotsobad！
It\'sevenvery——itisinteresting。Peasants，labourers，tolookatthemplainly，theyarejustlikehorses。Theycarryburdens，theypuffandblow。\"
\"Theycarryourlifeontheirbacks，\"exclaimedYozhovwithirritation。\"Theycarryitlikehorses，submissively，stupidly。
Andthissubmissivenessoftheirsisourmisfortune，ourcurse！\"
AndFoma，carriedawaybyhisownthought，argued：
\"Theycarryburdens，theytoilalltheirlifelongformeretrifles。Andsuddenlytheysaysomethingthatwouldn\'tcomeintoyourmindinacentury。Evidentlytheyfeel。Yes，itisinterestingtobewiththem。\"
Staggering，Yozhovwalkedinsilenceforalongtime，andsuddenlyhewavedhishandintheairandbegantodeclaiminadull，chokingvoice，whichsoundedasthoughitissuedfromhisstomach：
\"Lifehascruellydeceivedme，Ihavesufferedsomuchpain。\"
\"These，dearboy，aremyownverses，\"saidhe，stoppingshortandnoddinghisheadmournfully。\"Howdotheyrun？I\'veforgotten。
Thereissomethingthereaboutdreams，aboutsacredandpurelongings，whicharesmotheredwithinmybreastbythevapouroflife。Oh！\"
\"TheburieddreamswithinmybreastWillneverriseagain。\"
\"Brother！YouarehappierthanI，becauseyouarestupid。WhileI——\"
\"Don\'tberude！\"saidFoma，irritated。\"Youwouldbetterlistenhowtheyaresinging。\"
\"Idon\'twanttolistentootherpeople\'ssongs，\"saidYozhov，withashakeofthehead。\"Ihavemyown，itisthesongofasoulrentinpiecesbylife。\"
Andhebegantowailinawildvoice：
TheburieddreamswithinmybreastWillneverriseagain……
Howgreattheirnumberis！\"
\"Therewasawholeflowergardenofbright，livingdreamsandhopes。Theyperished，witheredandperished。Deathiswithinmyheart。Thecorpsesofmydreamsarerottingthere。Oh！oh！\"
Yozhovburstintotears，sobbinglikeawoman。Fomapitiedhim，andfeltuncomfortablewithhim。Hejerkedathisshoulderimpatiently，andsaid：
\"Stopcrying！Come，howweakyouare，brother！\"ClaspinghisheadinhishandYozhovstraighteneduphisstoopingframe，madeaneffortandstartedagainmournfullyandwildly：
\"Howgreattheirnumberis！
Theirsepulchrehownarrow！
IclothedthemallinshroudsofrhymeAndmanysadandsolemnsongsO\'erthemIsangfromtimetotime！\"
\"0h，Lord！\"sighedFomaindespair。\"Stopthat，forChrist\'ssake！ByGod，howsad！\"
Inthedistancetheloudchoralsongwasrollingthroughthedarknessandthesilence。Someonewaswhistling，keepingtimetotherefrain，andthisshrillsound，whichpiercedtheear，ranaheadofthebillowofpowerfulvoices。Fomalookedinthatdirectionandsawthetall，blackwallofforest，thebrightfieryspotofthebonfireshininguponit，andthemistyfiguressurroundingthefire。Thewallofforestwaslikeabreast，andthefirelikeabloodywoundinit。Itseemedasthoughthebreastwastrembling，asthebloodcourseddowninburningstreams。Embracedindensegloomfromallsidesthepeopleseemedonthebackgroundoftheforest，likelittlechildren；they，too，seemedtoburn，illuminatedbytheblazeofthebonfire。Theywavedtheirhandsandsangtheirsongsloudly，powerfully。
AndYozhov，standingbesideFoma，spokeexcitedly：
\"Youhard-heartedblockhead！Whydoyourepulseme？Yououghttolistentothesongofthedyingsoul，andweepoverit，for，whywasitwounded，whyisitdying？Begonefromme，begone！YouthinkIamdrunk？Iampoisoned，begone！\"
Withoutliftinghiseyesofftheforestandthefire，sobeautifulinthedarkness，FomamadeafewstepsasidefromYozhovandsaidtohiminalowvoice：
\"Don\'tplaythefool。Whydoyouabusemeatrandom？\"
\"Iwanttoremainalone，andfinishsingingmysong。\"
Staggering，he，too，movedasidefromFoma，andafterafewsecondsagainexclaimedinasobbingvoice：
\"Mysongisdone！AndnevermoreShallIdisturbtheirsleepofdeath，OhLord，0hLord，reposemysoul！
Foritishopelessinitswounds，OhLord，reposemysoul。\"
Fomashudderedatthesoundsoftheirgloomywailing，andhehurriedafterYozhov；butbeforeheovertookhimthelittlefeuilleton-writerutteredahystericalshriek，threwhimselfchestdownuponthegroundandburstoutsobbingplaintivelyandsoftly，evenassicklychildrencry。
\"Nikolay！\"saidFoma，liftinghimbytheshoulders。\"Ceasecrying；what\'sthematter？0hLord。Nikolay！Enough，aren\'tyouashamed？\"
ButYozhovwasnotashamed；hestruggledontheground，likeafishjusttakenfromthewater，andwhenFomahadliftedhimtohisfeet，hepressedclosetoFoma\'sbreast，claspinghissideswithhisthinarms，andkeptonsobbing。
\"Well，that\'senough！\"saidFoma，withhisteethtightlyclenched。\"Enough，dear。\"
Andagitatedbythesufferingofthemanwhowaswoundedbythenarrownessoflife，filledwithwrathonhisaccount，heturnedhisfacetowardthegloomwherethelightsofthetownwereglimmering，and，inanoutburstofwrathfulgrief，roaredinadeep，loudvoice：
\"A-a-ana-thema！Becursed！Justwait。You，too，shallchoke！Becursed！\"
CHAPTERXI
\"LUBAVKA！\"saidMayakinonedaywhenhecamehomefromtheExchange，\"prepareyourselfforthisevening。Iamgoingtobringyouabridegroom！Prepareaniceheartylittlelunchforus。Putoutonthetableasmuchofouroldsilverwareaspossible，alsobringoutthefruit-vases，sothatheisimpressedbyourtable！
Lethimseethateachandeverythingwehaveisararity！\"
Lubovwassittingbythewindowdarningherfather\'ssocks，andherheadwasbentlowoverherwork。
\"Whatisallthisfor，papa？\"sheasked，dissatisfiedandoffended。
\"Why，forsauce，forflavour。Andthen，it\'sindueorder。Foragirlisnotahorse；youcan\'tdisposeofherwithouttheharness。\"
Allaflushwithoffence，Lubovtossedherheadnervously，andflingingherworkaside，castaglanceatherfather；and，takingupthesocksagain，shebentherheadstillloweroverthem。Theoldmanpacedtheroomtoandfro，pluckingathisfierybeardwithanxiety；hiseyesstaredsomewhereintothedistance，anditwasevidentthathewasallabsorbedinsomegreatcomplicatedthought。Thegirlunderstoodthathewouldnotlistentoherandwouldnotcaretocomprehendhowdegradinghiswordswereforher。Herromanticdreamsofahusband-friend，aneducatedman，whowouldreadwithherwisebooksandhelphertofindherselfinherconfuseddesires，thesedreamswerestifledbyherfather\'sinflexibleresolutiontomarryhertoSmolin。Theyhadbeenkilledandhadbecomedecomposed，settlingdownasabittersedimentinhersoul。Shehadbeenaccustomedtolookinguponherselfasbetterandhigherthantheaveragegirlofthemerchantclass，thantheemptyandstupidgirlwhothinksofnothingbutdresses，andwhomarriesalmostalwaysaccordingtothecalculationofherparents，andbutseldominaccordancewiththefreewillofherheart。Andnowsheherselfisabouttomarrymerelybecauseitwastime，andalsobecauseherfatherneededason-in-lawtosucceedhiminhisbusiness。Andherfatherevidentlythoughtthatshe，byherself，washardlycapableofattractingtheattentionofaman，andthereforeadornedherwithsilver。Agitated，sheworkednervously，prickedherfingers，brokeneedles，butmaintainedsilence，beingawarethatwhateversheshouldsaywouldnotreachherfather\'sheart。
Andtheoldmankeptonpacingtheroomtoandfro，nowhummingpsalmssoftly，nowimpressivelyinstructinghisdaughterhowtobehavewiththebridegroom。Andthenhealsocountedsomethingonhisfingers，frownedandsmiled。
\"Mm！So！Tryme，0hLord，andjudgeme。Fromtheunjustandthefalseman，deliverme。Yes！Putonyourmother\'semeralds，Lubov。\"
\"Enough，papa！\"exclaimedthegirl，sadly。\"Pray，leavethatalone。\"
\"Don\'tyoukick！ListentowhatI\'mtellingyou。\"
Andhewasagainabsorbedinhiscalculations，snappinghisgreeneyesandplayingwithhisfingersinfrontofhisface。
\"Thatmakesthirty-fivepercent。Mm！Thefellow\'sarogue。Senddownthylightandthytruth。\"
\"Papa！\"exclaimedLubov，mournfullyandwithfright。
\"What？\"
\"You——areyoupleasedwithhim？\"
\"Withwhom？
\"Smolin。\"
\"Smolin？Yes，he\'sarogue，he\'sacleverfellow，asplendidmerchant！Well，I\'moffnow。Sobeonyourguard，armyourself。\"
WhenLubovremainedalonesheflungherworkasideandleanedagainstthebackofherchair，closinghereyestightly。Herhandsfirmlyclaspedtogetherlayonherknees，andtheirfingerstwitched。Filledwiththebitternessofoffendedvanity，shefeltanalarmingfearofthefuture，andprayedinsilence：
\"MyGod！0hLord！Ifhewereonlyakindman！Makehimkind，sincere。0hLord！Astrangemancomes，examinesyou，andtakesyouuntohimselfforyears，ifyoupleasehim！Howdisgracefulthatis，howterrible。0hLord，myGod！IfIcouldonlyrunaway！
IfIonlyhadsomeonetoadvisemewhattodo！Whoishe？HowcanIlearntoknowhim？Icannotdoanything！AndIhavethought，ah，howmuchIhavethought！Ihaveread。TowhatpurposehaveI
read？WhyshouldIknowthatitispossibletoliveotherwise，soasIcannotlive？Anditmaybethatwereitnotforthebooksmylifewouldbeeasier，simpler。Howpainfulallthisis！Whatawretched，unfortunatebeingIam！Alone。IfTarasatleastwerehere。\"
Attherecollectionofherbrothershefeltstillmoregrieved，stillmoresorryforherself。ShehadwrittentoTarasalong，exultantletter，inwhichshehadspokenofherloveforhim，ofherhopeinhim；imploringherbrothertocomeassoonaspossibletoseehisfather，shehadpicturedtohimplansofarrangingtolivetogether，assuringTarasthattheirfatherwasextremelycleverandunderstoodeverything；shetoldabouthisloneliness，hadgoneintoecstasyoverhisaptitudeforlifeandhad，atthesametime，complainedofhisattitudetowardher。
Fortwoweekssheimpatientlyexpectedareply，andwhenshehadreceivedandreaditsheburstoutsobbingforjoyanddisenchantment。Theanswerwasdryandshort；initTarassaidthatwithinamonthhewouldbeontheVolgaonbusinessandwouldnotfailtocallonhisfather，iftheoldmanreallyhadnoobjectiontoit。Theletterwascold，likeablockofice；
withtearsinhereyessheperuseditoverandoveragain，rumpledit，creasedit，butitdidnotturnwarmeronthisaccount，itonlybecamewet。Fromthesheetofstiffnotepaperwhichwascoveredwithwritinginalarge，firmhand，awrinkledandsuspiciouslyfrowningface，thinandangularlikethatofherfather，seemedtolookather。
OnYakovTarasovichtheletterofhissonmadeadifferentimpression。OnlearningthecontentsofTaras\'sreplytheoldmanstartedandhastilyturnedtohisdaughterwithanimationandwithapeculiarsmile：
\"Well，letmeseeit！Showittome！He-he！Let\'sreadhowwisemenwrite。Wherearemyspectacles？Mm！\'Dearsister！\'Yes。\"
Theoldmanbecamesilent；hereadtohimselfthemessageofhisson，putitonthetable，and，raisinghiseyebrows，silentlypacedtheroomtoandfro，withanexpressionofamazementonhiscountenance。Thenhereadtheletteroncemore，thoughtfullytappedthetablewithhisfingersandspoke：
\"Thatletterisn\'tbad——itissound，withoutanyunnecessarywords。Well？Perhapsthemanhasreallygrownhardenedinthecold。Thecoldisseverethere。Lethimcome，we\'lltakealookathim。It\'sinteresting。Yes。InthepsalmofDavidconcerningthemysteriesofhissonitissaid：\'WhenThouhastreturnedmyenemy\'——I\'veforgottenhowitreadsfurther。\'Myenemy\'sweaponshaveweakenedintheend，andhismemoryhathperishedamidnoise。Well，we\'lltalkitoverwithhimwithoutnoise。
Theoldmantriedtospeakcalmlyandwithacontemptuoussmile，butthesmiledidnotcome；hiswrinklesquiveredirritably，andhissmalleyeshadaparticularlyclearbrilliancy。
\"Writetohimagain，Lubovka。\'Comealong！\'writehim，\'don\'tbeafraidtocome！\'\"
LubovwroteTarasanotherletter，butthistimeitwasshorterandmorereserved，andnowsheawaitedareplyfromdaytoday，attemptingtopicturetoherselfwhatsortofmanhemustbe，thismysteriousbrotherofhers。Beforesheusedtothinkofhimwithsinkingheart，withthatsolemnrespectwithwhichbelieversthinkofmartyrs，menofuprightlife；nowshefearedhim，forhehadacquiredtherighttobejudgeovermenandlifeatthepriceofpainfulsufferings，atthecostofhisyouth，whichwasruinedinexile。Oncoming，hewouldaskher：
\"Youaremarryingofyourownfreewill，forlove，areyounot？\"
Whatshouldshetellhim？Wouldheforgiveherfaint-heartedness？
Andwhydoesshemarry？Canitreallybepossiblethatthisisallshecandoinordertochangeherlife？
Gloomythoughtsspranguponeafteranotherintheheadofthegirlandconfusedandtorturedher，impotentasshewastosetupagainstthemsomedefinite，all-conqueringdesire。Thoughshewasinananxiousandcompressingherlips。Smolinrosefromhischair，madeasteptowardherandbowedrespectfully。Shewasratherpleasedwiththislowandpolitebow，alsowiththecostlyfrockcoat，whichfittedSmolin\'ssupplefiguresplendidly。Hehadchangedbutslightly——hewasthesamered-headed，closely-
cropped，freckledyouth；onlyhismoustachehadbecomelong，andhiseyesseemedtohavegrownlarger。
\"Nowhe\'schanged，eh？\"exclaimedMayakintohisdaughter，pointingatthebridegroom。AndSmolinshookhandswithher，andsmiling，saidinaringingbaritonevoice：
\"Iventuretohopethatyouhavenotforgottenyouroldfriend？\"
It\'sallright！Youcantalkofthislater，\"saidtheoldman，scanninghisdaughterwithhiseyes。
\"Lubova，youcanmakeyourarrangementshere，whilewefinishourlittleconversation。Wellthen，AfricanMitrich，explainyourself。\"
\"Youwillpardonme，LubovYakovlevna，won\'tyou？\"askedSmolin，gently。
\"Praydonotstanduponceremony，\"saidLubov。\"He\'spoliteandclever，\"sheremarkedtoherself；and，asshewalkedaboutintheroomfromthetabletothesideboard，shebegantolistenattentivelytoSmolin\'swords。Hespokesoftly，confidently，withasimplicity，inwhichwasfeltcondescendencetowardtheinterlocutor。\"Wellthen，forfouryearsIhavecarefullystudiedtheconditionofRussianleatherinforeignmarkets。It\'sasadandhorridcondition！Aboutthirtyyearsagoourleatherwasconsideredthereasthestandard，whilenowthedemandforitisconstantlyfallingoff，and，ofcourse，thepricegoeshandinhandwithit。Andthatisperfectlynatural。Lackingthecapitalandknowledgeallthesesmallleatherproducersarenotabletoraisetheirproducttotheproperstandard，and，atthesametime，toreducetheprice。Theirgoodsareextremelybadanddear。AndtheyarealltoblameforhavingspoiledRussia\'sreputationasmanufacturerofthebestleather。Ingeneral，thepettyproducer，lackingthetechnicalknowledgeandcapital，isconsequentlyplacedinapositionwhereheisunabletoimprovehisproductsinproportiontothedevelopmentofthetechnicalside。Suchaproducerisamisfortuneforthecountry，theparasiteofhercommerce。\"
\"Hm！\"bellowedtheoldman，lookingathisguestwithoneeye，andwatchinghisdaughterwiththeother。\"Sothatnowyourintentionistobuildsuchagreatfactorythatalltheotherswillgotothedogs？\"